Laurell Kaye Hamilton is an American fantasy and romance writer. She is renowned for her two bestselling series: the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series and the Merry Gentry series.

The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series follows Anita Blake, a professional zombie raiser, vampire executioner, and supernatural consultant for the police. The series includes novels, short stories, and comic books, with over six million copies in print.

Her Merry Gentry series revolves around Meredith Gentry, the Princess of the Unseelie court of Faerie, who works as a private detective while facing repeated assassination attempts. Both series explore worlds where creatures of legend coexist with humans, and the protagonists gain power while navigating these dangerous environments.

Laurell K. Hamilton's work has been recognized by major media outlets such as USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, and Time, which have acknowledged her significant contributions to the urban-fantasy genre.